Recognition system for an apparatus that delivers breathable gas to a patient

ABSTRACT

An adapter for use with a flow generator includes a conduit attachable to the outlet of the flow generator and an identifying element supported by the conduit and providing an identifying feature unique to a specific peripheral component attachable to the flow generator. The identifying feature is communicatable to the flow generator so that appropriate operating parameters of the flow generator may be automatically selected by the flow generator to coordinate with the specific peripheral component.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/794,150,now U.S. Pat. No. 8,267,084, filed Oct. 29, 2008; which is the nationalstage of International Application No. PCT/AU2006/000238, under 35U.S.C. 371, filed Feb. 24, 2006; which claims the benefit of provisionalApplication No. 60/656,880, filed Mar. 1, 2005, the entire contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference in this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus that delivers breathablegas to a patient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Apparatus to deliver breathable gas to a patient typically includes aflow generator, an air delivery conduit, and a patient interface. Priorto use, operating parameters of the flow generator, e.g., treatmentpressure, need to be manually adjusted by the patient to coordinate withthe peripheral components, e.g., patient interface, being used. Forexample, known flow generators include a menu system that allows thepatient to select the type of peripheral components being used, e.g., bybrand, method of delivery, etc. Once the components are selected by thepatient, the flow generator can select appropriate operating parametersof the flow generator that best coordinate with the selected components.

The present invention provides improvements to known apparatus tofacilitate the coordination between the flow generator and theperipheral components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention is directed towards a recognition systemthat provides structure to facilitate the coordination between the flowgenerator and the peripheral components.

Another aspect of the invention relates to an adapter for use with aflow generator that generates a supply of pressurized air to be providedat an outlet to a patient for treatment. The adapter includes a conduitattachable to the outlet of the flow generator, and an identifyingelement supported by the conduit and providing an identifying featureunique to a specific peripheral component attachable to the flowgenerator. The identifying feature is communicatable to the flowgenerator so that appropriate operating parameters of the flow generatormay be automatically selected by the flow generator to coordinate withthe specific peripheral component.

Other aspects, features, and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are a part of thisdisclosure and which illustrate, by way of example, principles of thisinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings facilitate, an understanding of the variousembodiments of this invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of an apparatus that deliversbreathable gas to a patient, the apparatus including a recognitionsystem constructed according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view illustrating a flow generatorincorporating the recognition system shown in FIG. 1, and one of theindicator lights being activated;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view similar to FIG. 2 with another of theindicator lights being activated;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the flow generator shown in FIG. 2with an adapter of the recognition system removed;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged front perspective view of the flow generator shownin FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the flow generator and recognitionsystem shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an adapter of the recognition systemshown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view, from a different angle, of the adaptershown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the adapter shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a chart illustrating various magnitudes of resistancedetected by the recognition system shown in FIG. 2 for embodiments ofadapters associated with known masks sold by ResMed Ltd.;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating stacked adapters of therecognition system;

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate schematic side views of adapters/connectorsaccording to further embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a graph illustrating upper and lower ranges preferred bymanufacturers of patient interfaces for flow vs. pressure; and

FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrated an embodiment of a method foroperating a flow generator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-9 illustrate a recognition system 10 constructed according to anembodiment of the present invention. The recognition system 10 isstructured for use with an apparatus 12 that delivers a supply ofpressurized breathable air to a patient for treatment, e.g., of SleepDisordered Breathing (SDB) with CPAP or Non-Invasive Positive PressureVentilation (NIPPY). As best shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus 12 generallyincludes a flow generator 14, an air delivery conduit 16, and a patientinterface 18. As discussed in greater detail below, the recognitionsystem 10 allows the flow generator 14 to automatically recognize oridentify one or more of the peripheral components selected by thepatient so that appropriate operating parameters of the flow generator14 may be automatically selected by the flow generator 14 to coordinatewith the selected peripheral components.

The flow generator 14 is structured to generate a supply of pressurizedair to be provided to a patient for treatment. The flow generator 14includes a housing 20 and a blower 22 supported within the housing 20.As is known in the art, the blower 22 is operable to draw a supply ofair into the housing 20 through one or more intake openings and providea pressurized flow of air at an outlet 24 (see FIGS. 1, 4, and 5).

The supply of pressurized air is delivered to the patient via the airdelivery conduit 16 that includes one end 26 coupled to the outlet 24 ofthe flow generator 14 and an opposite end 28 coupled to the patientinterface 18, as shown in FIG. 1.

The patient interface 18 comfortably engages the patient's face andprovides a seal. The patient interface 18 may have any suitableconfiguration as is known in the art, e.g., full-face mask, nasal mask,oro-nasal mask, mouth mask, nasal prongs, etc. Also, any suitableheadgear arrangement 30 may be utilized to comfortably support thepatient interface 18 in a desired position on the patient's face.

As best shown in FIGS. 2-4, the housing 20 of the flow generator 14includes an upper wall 32, a lower wall 34, and side walls 36 thatinterconnect the upper and lower walls 32, 34. In the illustratedembodiment, the outlet 24 is provided in one of the side walls 36. Also,the upper wall 32 incorporates a manual control unit 38 for adjustingone or more parameters of the flow generator 14, e.g., treatmentpressure. However, the outlet 24 and/or control unit 38 may beincorporated into any of the walls of the housing 20. Also, it should beunderstood that the flow generator 14 may include additional featuresincorporated into the housing 20, e.g., power supply.

As shown in FIG. 6, the flow generator 14 includes a controller 40operable to receive input signals and to control operation of the blower22 based on input signals. Input signals may be provided by the controlunit 38 which has a plurality of control features that can be manuallyselected by the patient to adjust various parameters of the flowgenerator 14. For example, the patient may select the type of patientinterface 18 being used, e.g., via a menu system of the control unit 38,so that the controller 40 can adjust the blower outlet pressure so thatit coordinates with the selected patient interface 18. The controller 40may include a memory 42 that stores preferred operating parameters for avariety of patient interfaces, e.g., by brand or method of delivery.When the controller 40 receives the input signal regarding the selectedpatient interface 18 from the control unit 38, the controller 40 canoperate the blower 22 based on the stored operating parameters in thememory 42 for the selected patient interface 18. Alternatively, thepreferred operating parameters for a selected patient interface 18 maybe entered manually through the control unit 38.

Connector Recognition

The recognition system 10 is provided to allow the controller 40 of theflow generator 14 to automatically recognize one or more peripheralcomponents, e.g., the patient interface 18, so that the patient does nothave to utilize the control unit 38. Moreover, the recognition system 10may allow the apparatus 12 to operate more efficiently as therecognition system 10 enables the flow generator 14 to select operatingparameters that are specifically optimized for the selected peripheralcomponents.

In the illustrated embodiment, the recognition system 10 includes afirst connector portion 44 provided by the flow generator 14 (e.g., seeFIGS. 4, 5, and 6), and a second connector portion 46 adapted to beremovably coupled with the first connector portion 44 (e.g., see FIGS.2, 3, and 6-9). The second connector portion 46 is associated with aspecific peripheral component, e.g., patient interface 18, and includesan identifying feature unique to the specific peripheral component. Thefirst connector portion 44 includes structure to communicate theidentifying feature of the second connector portion 46 to the controller40 so that the controller 40 can recognize the identifying feature andhence the associated peripheral component. The controller 40 can thenselect appropriate operating parameters of the blower 22, e.g., viamemory 42, to coordinate with the associated peripheral component. Forexample, the blower 22 may be controlled so that the blower outletpressure is relatively lower for one group of patient interfaces, e.g.,nasal, and relatively higher for another group of patient interfaces,e.g., nasal and mouth.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 7-9, the second connector portion 46 isprovided on an adapter 48 that is adapted to interconnect the outlet 24of the flow generator 14 and the end 26 of the air delivery conduit 16.Specifically, the adapter 48 is in the form of a conduit including afirst end portion 50 attachable to the outlet 24 and a second endportion 52 attachable to the air delivery conduit 16. As illustrated,first end portion 50 has a greater diameter than the second end portion52. However, the end portions 50, 52 may have any suitable arrangement,e.g., similar diameters. Also, a gripping portion 54, in the form ofspaced contoured ribs, is provided between the first and second endportions 50, 52 to facilitate connection.

As illustrated, the second connector portion 46 is mounted to the firstend portion 50. As a result, the second connector portion 46 is able toremovably couple with the first connector portion 44 on the flowgenerator 14 when the adapter 48 is coupled to the outlet 24. In theillustrated embodiment, the first connector portion 44 is in the form ofa first conductor and the second connector portion 46 is in the form ofa second conductor. Also, the second conductor 46 is bridged with anidentifying element, in the form of a resistor, that provides theidentifying feature unique to a specific peripheral component.

In use, the adapter 48 is attached to the outlet 24 so that the secondconductor 46 is electrically coupled to the first conductor 44. In theillustrated embodiment, the second conductor includes a metallic pin 56with an axially extending opening 58 and the first conductor includes ametallic pin 60. The axially extending opening 58 of the metallic pin 56receives the metallic pin 60 therein to electrically couple the firstand second conductors 44, 46. However, the first and second conductors44, 46 may be electrically coupled in any other suitable manner. Oncecoupled, the controller 40 can detect the resistance provided by theresistor bridged with the second conductor 46. The resistance is uniqueto a particular peripheral component so the controller 40 can recognizethe specific peripheral component by the resistance. Once recognized,the appropriate operating parameters of the flow generator 14 can beautomatically selected by the controller 40 to coordinate with thespecified peripheral component.

For example, FIG. 10 lists three known patient interfaces sold by ResMedLtd. Each of the patient interfaces is supplied with an adapter 48having a second connector portion 46 with a unique resistance value. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the Activa® has a resistor that providesresistance of about 1 ohm, the Mirage® has a resistor that providesresistance of about 2 ohm, and the UltraMirage® has a resistor thatprovides resistance of about 3 ohm. Accordingly, if the controller 40detects a 2 ohm resistance when the adapter 48 and second connectorportion 46 thereof is engaged with the flow generator 14, the controller40 will recognize that the Mirage® is coupled to the flow generator 14and select blower operating parameters that are optimized for theMirage®.

Thus, the recognition system 10 provides a “plug and play” arrangementwherein the patient can simply couple the adapter 48 and secondconnector portion thereof 46 to the flow generator 14 to automaticallyconfigure the flow generator 10 for a particular peripheral component,e.g., patient interface 18.

It should be understood that more than one peripheral component of theapparatus 12 may be provided with a unique adaptor 48 that automaticallyconfigures the flow generator 14 for the associated peripheralcomponent. For example, an adapter 48 may be provided with each of thepatient interface 18, air delivery conduit 16, and humidifier (notshown) coupled to the flow generator 14. Each adapter 48 would have aunique identifying feature, as described above, so that the controller40 can recognize which components are coupled to the flow generator 14.Moreover, the controller 40 can optimize operation of the flow generator14 to take into account the features of each of the patient interface18, air delivery conduit 16, humidifier.

In one embodiment, the adapters 48 may be color coded to correspond withparticular peripheral components. Moreover, the peripheral component mayhave a colored element that matches the color of the correspondingadapter 48. This allows the adapters 48 to be easily recognized andassociated with the respective component. For example, a patientinterface 18 may have a purple colored swivel connector that isaccompanied by a purple colored adapter 48. When the purple coloredadapter 48 is coupled to the flow generator 14, the controller 40 willoptimize the flow generator 14 to correspond with the features of thepurple colored patient interface 18. In addition, or in the alternative,the connector and/or peripheral component may have a tactile indicatorsuch as shape, e.g., a polygon, hexagon, etc.

When multiple peripheral components are coupled to the flow generator14, e.g., patient interface and humidifier, multiple adapters 48 may bestacked to the outlet 24 of the flow generator 14. For example, a purpleadapter 48 associated with a patient interface 18 piggybacked to ayellow adapter 48 associated with a humidifier would signal thecontroller 40 that both a patient interface 18 and humidifier areattached to the flow generator 14. When piggybacked, one of the adapters48A is coupled to the flow generator 14 as discussed above and thesecond adapter 48B is coupled to the first adapter 48A such that thefirst end portion 50 of the second adapter 48B is attachable to thesecond end portion 52 of the first adapter 48A and the second endportion 52 of the second adapter 48B is attachable to the air deliveryconduit 16 as shown in FIG. 11. Moreover, the conductor 46 of the secondadapter 48B is electrically coupled to a rear portion of the conductor46 of the first adapter 48A. In one embodiment, the adapter 48B may bestructured such that it cannot receive a plug from a downstreamconnector, rather it can only plug into the adapter 48A closer to theflow generator, so as to impose a limitation on the order of attachment.However, it is preferred that the adapters can be attached in randomorder, to facilitate the connector assembly operation.

The piggyback value of two resistor values wired in parallel could berecognized via simple electronics (e.g., 1/R Total=1/R₁+1/R₂, where R₁is the resistor value associated with the patient interface and R₂ isthe resistor value associated with the humidifier). The value of (1/RTotal) would relate to a blower setting that adjusts the operatingparameters to function optimally with the specific features of both theselected patient interface and humidifier. This arrangement eliminatesuser intervention to match peripheral components for optimal performanceof the connected system.

It should be understood that the recognition system 10 may have anysuitable structure to enable the controller 40 to automaticallyrecognize selected peripheral components. In the illustrated embodiment,an adapter 48 incorporating an identifiable resistor is utilized toidentify the peripheral component. However, the identifying element mayhave any suitable identifiable structure, e.g., impedance (e.g., usingholes of various sizes), microswitches, infrared detectors, variablelength pins, variable number of pins, variable pin mountings, springloads, etc. For example, one embodiment may incorporate one or morevariable length pins 46.1 on the end of the connector that can eitherincorporate a microswitch (or series of switches depending on length) oroperate a variable resistor whose value is determined by the length ofthe pin, e.g., how far the pin pushes a lever operating variableresistor. A series of microswitches, e.g., 6 switches, located aroundthe connector could be operated by pins 46.2 to either the on or offposition, similar to a remote control. See, e.g., FIGS. 12 and 13.

Alternatively, the adaptor and/or a component thereof such as a pin mayinclude a coded portion that encodes the flow generator with theperipheral component. This is similar to how a camera film housingencodes the camera with the camera film, upon loading of the housinginto the camera.

In another embodiment, the second connector portion 46 may be providedas a separate key, separate from the adapter 48, that is engagable withthe first connector portion 44 provided on the flow generator 14. Thus,the adapter 48 may be eliminated and the air delivery conduit 16 mayconnect directly to the outlet 24 of the flow generator 14.

Also, the controller 40 may identify the peripheral component in anysuitable manner. That is, an identifying feature associated with theperipheral component may be communicated to the controller 40 in anysuitable manner. For example, the identifying feature may beincorporated into the peripheral component, e.g., patient interface,itself and be communicated to the controller 40 via a wire extendingfrom the peripheral component to the flow generator 14. Alternatively,the identifying feature may be communicated to the controller 40wirelessly, e.g., RFID, IR, prismatic, smart card (computer chip). In“wireless” embodiments, the controller 40 would be coupled to a receiveradapted to receive signals transmitted by the identifying componentassociated with the peripheral component.

In another embodiment, the peripheral component may include a bar codewith identifying information so that the peripheral component may bemoved past a bar code reader provided on the flow generator 14 that willallow the controller 40 to identify the specific peripheral componentbeing utilized.

Also, other information may be provided by the identifying component,e.g., a log of the patient's use, components used during each use, endof life service indication, etc.

The flow generator 14 may include one or more indicator lights toindicate that the peripheral components have been recognized and/oridentified. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the flow generator14 includes a red light 62 that indicates that the component has not yetbeen recognized (FIG. 2), and a green light 64 that indicates that theadapter 48 is connected and the associated component has beenrecognized. Thus, the indicator lights may provide positive feedbackregarding connection and blower set-up status. The different lights mayalso indicate different peripherals and confirm correct alignment, e.g.,one light for an Activa® mask, another light for an UltraMirage® FullFace Mask, etc.

In the illustrated embodiment, the adapter 48 must be properly alignedwith the outlet 24 and the first connector portion 44 to enable thesecond connector portion 46 to couple with the first connector portion44. However, the first and second connector portions 44, 46 may beconfigured and arranged so orientation of the adapter 48 with respect tothe outlet 24 does not matter. Moreover, the flow generator willcontinue to operate even if one or more components of the recognitionsystem are not employed, although the operating characteristics may notbe optimized for the particular component in use.

The recognition system 10 is advantageous in that it allows the flowgenerator 14 to be optimized to function with the connected peripheralcomponents. This minimizes patient intervention to setup the flowgenerator 14, and therefore improves ease of use.

Leak Testing on Manufacturer Line

Typically, manufacturers test manufactured patient interfaces on themanufacturing line for leak and require that they fall within upper andlower ranges in flow vs. pressure curve to ensure that each patientinterface can be used with a flow generator. The flow vs. pressure curvemeasures for intended, e.g., vents, and unintended sources of leak.Thus, a patient interface falling at A in FIG. 14 would be acceptable,and patient interfaces falling at B and C in FIG. 14 would not beacceptable. If a recognition system 10 is utilized, the leak testingresults of the patient interface may be provided on an identifyingcomponent, e.g., smart card, and transferred to the controller 40 inuse. FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method foroperating a flow generator. With this information, the controller 40 canoptimize the flow generator 14 to compensate for the measured operatingparameter of the patient interface. That is, the specific parameters ofthe patient interface are compensated at the flow generator 14. Thisallows the typical range requirements to be eliminated so that masksfalling at B and C in FIG. 14 can be utilized. Thus, manufacturingdesign constraints may be reduced, so that patient interfaces may beused that would not typically be used due to manufacturing standards.

While the invention has been described in connection with what arepresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A component of a continuous positive airwaypressure (CPAP) system, the CPAP system including a flow generator thatis adapted to generate a supply of pressurized breathable gas that isprovided from an outlet of the flow generator to a patient via anairflow path, the component comprising: a body that is configured to bephysically attachable to or adjacent the outlet of the flow generatorand included in the airflow path that communicates, at least in part,the supply of pressurized breathable gas to the patient; and anidentifying element that is included with the body and providing anidentifying feature that is associated with a peripheral component thatis configured to operate in the CPAP system, the identifying element setto communicate with the flow generator to provide the supply ofpressurized gas to the patient via the airflow path, wherein theidentifying feature provided from the identifying element is set to becommunicated to the flow generator so that at least one appropriateoperating parameter of the flow generator may be processed by the flowgenerator and the supply of pressurized breathable gas set in accordancewith the processing, wherein the identifying feature includes at leastone of the following: a log of patient use, an end of life serviceindication, components used during each use, and/or a leak parameterthat indicates a measured leak value associated with the peripheralcomponent, wherein the body is a separate structural body from theperipheral component that is associated with the identifying feature. 2.The component of claim 1, wherein the body is an adapter that is adaptedto interface with the flow generator.
 3. The component of claim 1,wherein the identifying feature is set to be communicated, at least inpart, wirelessly to the flow generator.
 4. The component of a continuouspositive airway pressure (CPAP) system of claim 1, wherein theidentifying feature includes the log of patient use.
 5. The component ofa continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) system of claim 1, whereinthe identifying feature includes the end of life service indication. 6.The component of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) system ofclaim 1, wherein the identifying feature includes the components usedduring each use.
 7. The component of a continuous positive airwaypressure (CPAP) system of claim 1, wherein the identifying featureincludes the leak parameter that indicates the measured leak valueassociated with the peripheral component.
 8. A flow generator of acontinuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) system, the flow generatorcomprising: a motor that is configured to generate a supply ofpressurized breathable gas that is delivered, via an airflow path, to apatient for treatment, the airflow path configured to include astructural body with an identifying element disposed on or in thestructural body, the identifying element including an identifyingfeature that is related to a peripheral CPAP component that is operableto be a component of the CPAP system; an outlet that communicates thegenerated supply of pressurized breathable gas to the structural bodythat is physically attachable to the outlet; a communication interfacethat is configured to communicate with the identifying element toretrieve the identifying feature of the identifying element; a memorystorage medium that is configured to store at least one operatingparameter in accordance with the retrieved identifying feature; and acontroller that is configured to process the stored at least oneoperating parameter to control the supply of pressurized breathable gasprovided to the patient for treatment, wherein the identifying featureincludes at least one of the following: a log of patient use, an end oflife service indication, components used during each use, and/or a leakparameter that indicates a measured leak value associated with theperipheral component, wherein the structural body is a separatelyprovided from the peripheral CPAP component.
 9. The flow generator ofclaim 8, wherein the structural body is an adapter.
 10. The flowgenerator of claim 8, wherein the identifying feature includes anairflow related parameter of the peripheral CPAP component.
 11. The flowgenerator of claim 10, wherein the controller is further configured toadjust how the supply of pressurized breathable gas is provided to thepatient for treatment based on the airflow related parameter.
 12. Theflow generator of claim 10, wherein the peripheral CPAP component is apatient interface.
 13. A component of a continuous positive airwaypressure (CPAP) system, the CPAP system including a flow generatoradapted to generate a supply of pressurized breathable gas provided froman outlet of the flow generator to a patient via an airflow path, thecomponent comprising: an adapter body configured to be included in theairflow path that communicates, at least in part, the supply ofpressurized breathable gas from an outlet of the flow generator to thepatient; and an identifying element included with the adapter body andhaving an identifying feature associated with a separately providedperipheral component configured to operate in the CPAP system, theidentifying element set to communicate with the flow generator, theperipheral component being a structurally separate body from the adapterbody, wherein the identifying feature provided from the identifyingelement is set to be communicated to the flow generator so that at leastone appropriate operating parameter of the flow generator may beprocessed by the flow generator and the supply of pressurized breathablegas set in accordance with the processing, wherein the identifyingfeature includes at least one of the following: a log of patient use, anend of life service indication, components used during each use, and/ora leak parameter that indicates a measured leak value associated withthe peripheral component.
 14. The component of claim 13, wherein theidentifying feature is set to be communicated, at least in part,wirelessly to the flow generator.
 15. The component of claim 13, whereinthe identifying element is a resistor and the identifying feature is aparticular resistance.
 16. The component of claim 13, wherein theidentifying feature includes the log of patient use.
 17. The componentof claim 13, wherein the identifying feature includes the end of lifeservice indication.
 18. The component of claim 13, wherein theidentifying feature includes the components used during each use. 19.The component of claim 13, wherein the identifying feature includes theleak parameter that indicates the measured leak value associated withthe peripheral component.